Under the Western Acacia — Christian Jacq

Ramses is now fifty: after bringing outstanding prosperity to Egypt, he could have hoped to enjoy a serene old age. But his legendary destiny does not permit this: he must still continue to rule. Above all, Ramses strives to preserve Egypt's hard-won peace, in spite of so ,any obstacles - the Hittite Emperor exhorts him to wed his daughter under the threat of a new war; and the Libyans, greedy for revenge, are rebelling..
Ramses is still the miracle worker, the Son of the Light who is able to modify the climate, transform an enemy into an ally and win the support of the divine powers. But, with the passing of the last forty years of his reign, he cannot prevent time from robbing him of one after another of his lifelong friends, and with each death, he is a little more isolated in his quest to confront Egypt's enemies.
And when, in his old age , the time comes for him to meet his final enemy, Ramses goes to sit in the shade of the Western Acacia to prepare for his last journey. Only then can the scribe Ahmeni, who has faithfully served his sovereign for the sixty-seven years of his reign, lay down his brush.